Jerry Mooneyham died at Missouri Baptist Hospital on January 9, 2021 from complications from COVID-19 at the age of 86. He married his highschool sweetheart and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War on board the USS Mount McKinley.
Raymond Stoltz passed away at Laclede Groves Assisted Living from Covid-19 complications on January 23, 2021 at the age of 89. Ray was a Korean War Air Force veteran and a 40-year retiree from McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. He was a devoted husband and caregiver until his wife passed 4 years ago.
Robert E. Kuhlman died of COVID-19 at the age of 88 on January 10, 2021.
After completing a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health with an associated appointment in the Public Health Service, Robert returned St. Louis to complete his surgical training in orthopedic surgery. He received the first grant establishing the Orthopedic Research Fellowship program at the medical school. He had a private practice as an orthopedic surgeon and was adjunct faculty at Washington University for 38 years and coauthored numerous research papers. Robert loved photography, dining out with his late wife (d. 2010), home improvement and spending time with his five kids and numerous grandkids.
Dr. Robert Kuhlman is missed deeply by his kids, grandkids, extended family, friends, and all those whose bones and joints he helped make better through his work as an orthopedic surgeon.
Claudene Goldie Simpson Chunn of rural Evansville IL died after a three day battle with COVID-19 at St. Louis University Hospital on January 16, 2021. She was 91 years old. She married the (late) love of her life when he got back from serving in France in WWII and they raised six children.
Carl P. Schmidt of Saint Louis, MO passed away December 28, 2020 at the age of 91 following complications from COVID-19. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War, but he didn’t go overseas.
Carol Stearns Stroud died after a short illness with COVID-19 on January 22, 2021 at the age of 87. She had resided at a Dolan Memory Care home (Clermont) for 8 1/2 years.
Peggy Grosberg Ross died from COVID-19 on January 23, 2021 at the age of 90.
She was passionate about making a positive impact in this world and modeled charity, devotion, and compassion. Peggy was raised in a loving family that had a long tradition of giving back to St. Louis, and married Donald Ross, PhD in 1950. They raised their daughter and “spent their lives dedicated to furthering education, helping the needy, traveling to all parts of the world together and happily cruising the Mississippi River on their houseboat.”
Peggy’s true calling in life was philanthropy and making life better for others, and she inarguably succeeded at that. After surviving a near death experience in a fire, Peggy created the Edna Malen Scholarship Fund for the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College (Edna Malen was the lead burn nurse who saved Peggy’s life). In 55 years, the scholarship has helped many nurses to graduate.
Her generosity extended to the Jewish Hospital (BJC) where she became a lifelong member of the Auxiliary that raised millions of dollars for clinical development programs. Many of the campaigns were led by her. Her fundraising skills also benefitted the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis where she spent nearly 25 years as an active supporter, board member and advisor and was instrumental in leading programs to provide interest free loans to college-bound students. These were based solely on qualifications and need; not race, religion or gender.
She was very proud of the Jewish Federation’s Grosberg award, given to young leaders in the St. Louis Jewish Community. This award was created in honor of her parents David and Roselin Grosberg. In 2004 she was honored for her lifetime of commitment by being named one of St. Louis’ Women of Achievement. She became active in that outstanding organization that recognizes women in the community who’ve distinguished themselves by unselfishly giving with no thought of reward.”
Peggy Grosberg Ross is missed deeply by her daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, acquaintances, community, and everyone whose lives were made a little better because of her humanitarian and philanthropic work.
Kenneth Stephen Daues, Sr of St. Louis, passed away from COVID-19 on January 3, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospital at the age of 87.
Ken was born and raised in St. Louis, graduating from St. Louis University with a bachelor’s degree. He raised four kids with his first wife and was a beloved stepfather to three. Ken’s work included the family business, Caterpillar Tractor and he ultimately retired from Insituform Technologies, Inc.. More important than his work was his volunteering and service to the community. He was very active, especially in retirement, in Meals on Wheels, volunteering with at Holy Infant Church, and supported of St. Vincent de Paul Society. He loved connecting with old classmates and spending time with his grandkids.
Kenneth Daues is missed deeply by his wife of 38 years, adult children and step-children, grandkids, and all those who knew him.
Helen Therese Pagel of Ellisville, MO died from complications of COVID-19 and congestive heart disease on December 15, 2020 at the age of 93 at Missouri Baptist Hospital.
Helen was raised in Milwaukee and met her late husband while working as a night clerk at the rail road. They started and ran Brown Mill Tavern and Cafe on the upper Michigan peninsula for 21 years while they raised their six children. Helen was incredibly proud that all her kids worked at the family business and went on to graduate college. Her and Roy enjoyed 52 years of marriage until his death in 2006. She was known for her wide range of artistic talents, from sketching graphics for her kids’ science projects to sewing costumes and tailoring clothing. For the past two years, Helen lived in an assisted care facility being visited as often as possible by her large family and watching reruns of her favorite TV shows (The Lawrence Welk Show and Gunsmoke). A devout Catholic, she attended Mass every Sunday as long as she was physically able to.
Helen Therese Pagel is missed deeply by her six surviving children, grand children, large extended family and all her friends.
Donald “Don” Lavin died of COVID-19 on December 21, 2020 at the age of 94.
Don was raised in North St. Louis and served in the Navy on the USS Borie at the end of World War II. After being honorably discharged, Don completed his studies at St. Louis University and married the love of his life. They raised three children and grew stronger together after the tragic death of their youngest child to heart disease. While Don prioritized his family and faith, his accomplished career in the automotive industry spanned more than forty years, the last thirty-two of which he spent at Chrysler. He was known for his limitless capacity for kindness, his laughter, his epic story telling, fierce poker playing, and driving tennis opponents to insanity with his notorious lob. He was devastated when his wife passed in 2015 after 64 years of marriage.
Donald’s obituary states: “Don was 94 years old when he contracted Covid and passed on less than one week later. Despite that hospital restrictions prevented his family from visiting his bedside, his dedicated nurses, Chuck and Lexi, arranged Zoom calls that allowed his family to bid their final farewells. His memory as an unparalleled role model looms large among his relatives who miss him dearly. They wish to offer a special thanks to Dr. James Hollis, the staff at the Covid Unit at Mercy Hospital and the loving caretakers at The Glen at Aberdeen, especially Don’s “personal trainer” Maria.”
Don is missed deeply by his two surviving adult children, his grandkids, extended family and many friends.
Patricia Ann Retter, of Jerseyville, Illinois, lost her battle with COVID-19 on December 10, 2020 at the age of 86 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis.
Patricia was the beloved wife of Reverend Edwin Retter and together they raised two daughters while serving in the Nazarene ministry. She liked collecting snowmen, doing crossword puzzles, crocheting, and helping out friends. Patricia was the family matriarch and always quick with a kind word and listening ear.
Patricia Retter is missed every moment by her husband and soulmate of 67 years. She’s also grieved by her surviving daughter, grandkids, church family, and all those whose lives brightened by her presence.
PS: Her family was trying to collect cards to send to her grieving husband, see the Facebook link below.
Gregory J. Warnecke of Belleville, Illinois died of COVID-19 on December 31, 2020, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital at the age of 90.
Greg would make handtools and decorative pieces out of wood as a child growing up in Clinton County. After he finished serving in the United States Army Security Agency, he went to work as cabinetmaker with the Markus Cabinet Company, before switching to working on residential and commercial projects. Greg’s love of woodworking was possibly only exceeded by his love for his wife, who he recently celebrated 58 years of marriage with in May 2020. In retirement, Greg liked traveling, fishing, spending time with family, but he continued his passion for woodworking through designing and building furniture for his home and for St. Mary’s Church in Belleville. His craftsmanship can be seen on the “refurbished sacristy cabinets, both the Easter candle and Advent wreath stands, credence table, and extensive restoration of our Pieta statue and the figures in our Christmas Creche, to name a few.”
Gregory J. Warnecke is missed deeply by his wife, three children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, friends, and church-family.
Eleanor Podolski died of COVID-19 on December 26, 2020 at the age of 90.
Ellie was known for her contagious laugh, bubbly personality, and love of learning and new experiences. She and her husband Stanley raised two sons and a daughter, and she also helped run the family store (Podolski’s Market). Ellie was a member of Polish Falcons Nest 45, where she was a Legion of Honor Bronze and Silver Star of Merit recipient and also a member of the Polish American Cultural Society. In her later years, she lovingly cared for her husband of 67 years as he suffered from dementia until his death in 2017.
Ellie is missed by her surviving son and daughter, grandchildren, extended family, and circle of friends. In her obituary her family wrote, “Please say a prayer for Eleanor and please get vaccinated.”
Gloria Fay Prince died from COVID-19 related pneumonia on November 29, 2020 at the age of 90. The wonderful staff at The Glen at Aberdeen Heights (in Kirkwood MO) where she lived the last several years were at her side when she passed, so she did not die alone.
Fay was a graduate of Normandy High School where she played field hockey and participated in the modern dance troupe. She married her late husband Jack in 1949 and supported his advertising career as it took them to different cities around the country and they raised their four children. Fay was described as being the “consummate homemaker”: a Girl Scout Leader. church volunteer, with hobbies that included needlepoint, sewing, quilting and cooking.
Gloria Fay Prince is missed deeply by her three surviving children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, friends, and the staff who took such good care of her at the assisted living facility.
Frank Frederick Graser of Bethalto IL died of COVID-19 on December 9, 2020 at the age of 90.
Frank served in the US Navy from 1947 to 1951. When he got discharged he married (his beloved wife passed in 2002), raised his two sons, and worked for McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) starting as an A&P Mechanic for 30 years. Frank had a huge variety of interests and was involved in many activities, causes, and organizations throughout his life. He coached Little League Baseball, was a Scout Master, a member of the Bunker Hill Knife Club, Mississippi Garden Club, the Illinois Chapter of the National Audubon Society, and a regular volunteer at the Two Rivers Wildlife Refuge. He was also an active member in the Bethalto United Methodist Church and in retirement enjoyed Monday morning coffee with his “knife brothers”. Frank was proud of his boys and loved being a grandpa.
Frank Frederick Graser is missed deeply by his two sons, his grandkids, ten great-grandchildren, and a huge extended family and many friends.
James P. Mannion Jr. died on December 3rd, 2020 in his home after a short battle with COVID-19 at the age of 90.
Jim served two years overseas in The Navy in Japan during the Korean War. He ended up getting his JD from St. Louis University Law School after obtaining his undergrad at the University of Notre Dame. He ultimately specialized in labor relations and worked his way up to partner at Bryan, Cave, McPheters, and McRoberts, retiring in 1990.
More than his accomplished career, James loved his family. His first wife’s untimely death from cancer left him raising their four young children alone, but in 1978 James found love again in Kathleen, blending their families into a happy chaos of 8 kids. Jim had a “profound” love of reading and history, which he passed on to his kids. Jim and Kathleen traveled widely and he got to explore book stores and follow his passion for history all over the world.
As stated in his obituary: “Jim was loved by all who met and knew him. He was noted for his ever-present smile, his gentle, kind, and caring manner, and his love of telling stories from his childhood. He was a shining example of bravery and kindness to the end and always thanked his many caregivers and family helpers throughout his illness. His memory and lust for life will be cherished forever.”
James P. Mannion Jr. is missed profoundly by Kathleen, his seven surviving kids, rand kids, great grandkids, many friends and extended family.
Delores E. Weekly died of COVID-19 on November 30, 2020 at the age of 91. She lived in Overland MO for most of her life, and was an active member of the Overland Historical Society.
Delores was a skilled quilter and knitter. After retiring from Pet Foods, she sewed gifts for her family and friends, and donated her handcrafts to charities. She loved doing many things, but lunch with friends was her favorite activity of all. Delores was known for her independent, cheerful spirit.
Delores Weekly is missed by her cousins, surrogate family, and her many friends.
R. Richard Straub died of COVID-19 after a brief battle with the virus on November 24, 2020 at the age of 88.
Dick grew up in Webster Groves, graduated with honors from Princeton University, and served as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. After his time in the military, he moved back to St. Louis and completed his J.D. at Washington University with the Order of the Coif. Dick raised his two girls with his beloved wife while he practiced corporate law at Lewis Rice. At the age of 48 he had a major stroke that paralyzed the left side of his body but fortunately left his sharp mind fully intact. In this early retirement Dick threw himself into volunteering and supporting worthy causes (including providing free legal counsel via SCORE, tutoring children, and helping other stroke victims), living life to the fullest (and still golfing, with the use of only one arm). In 2014 he moved from his home of 50 years to The Gatesworth extended care facility.
R. Richard Straub is missed deeply by his wife of 65 years, his two adult daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family, friends at The Gatesworth, and all who knew him.
Anthony “Tony” Daniel Daus Jr. died from complications of COVID-19 on December 2, 2020 at the age of 85.
Tony was born and raised in St. Louis. He grew up in Soulard, attended St. Louis University, married his wife Ann, raised their 5 children, and had a successful 55-year sales career in the aerospace industry. He most loved entertaining, dancing, laughing over good food, and talking about his grandkids.
Anthony Daus is missed deeply by his wife of 63 years, his four surviving children, grand-kids, and everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.
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